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CASH
All payments in the establishments operating in foreing exchange in Cuba must be made with convertible pesos.

Convertible pesos will remain at par with the US dollar at an exchange rate of one for one.

You may exchange Euros, Canadian dollars pounds sterling or Swiss francs for convertible pesos. The exchange rates for those currencies are set in accord with the exchange rates on the international market.

You may also exchange US dollars for convertible pesos, but a service charge of 10 percent will be leived, to protect Cuba's economic interests.

You may exchange convertible pesos for US dollars at par (at the exchange rate of one to one) or for other convertible currencies in any of the money-exchange offices in Cuba.

Euros will still be used in the following tourist resorts: Varadero, the Jardines del Rey Archipelago, Holguin, Santa Lucia Beach in Camaguey, Covarrubias Beach in Las Tunas, and Cayo Largo del Sur.

CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards issued by US companies may be accepted, but be aware that the US could theoretically confiscate the entire transaction, leaving you high, dry and further in debt. A Visa or MasterCard (or two) issued by a non-US bank is the way to go. Traveler's checks denominated in US dollars, even those issued by US banks (at last report, the Banco Financiero Internacional was happily accepting American Express), can be cashed with a 3-4% commission.

LIVING COSTS
For a Caribbean destination, Cuba is still reasonably affordable, though not cheap. A double room in a medium-priced beachside resort runs US$50, US$100 all-inclusive. The same room in a state-run hotel costs around US$35, and in a private residence US$15-25. A meal in a state-run restaurant is US$10-15, while dinner for one at a paladar (privately owned restaurant) averages US$7. Taking the bus or train runs about US$4 for 100 miles (160km), while a rental car could cost as much as US$100 a day, more than in neighboring Florida.

MEALS
§ Budget: US$5-10
§ Mid-range: US$10-20
§ Top-end: US$20 and upwards

LODGING
§ Budget: US$15-25
§ Mid-range: US$25-100
§ Top-end: US$100 and upwards

TIPS
Cuban tourism workers rely on tips. People who deserve a US$1 tip include museum staff who give you a complete tour, hotel guards who watch your rental car all night, helpful bus drivers, attentive waitstaff or anyone in the service industry who goes beyond the call of duty. Do not offer money to officials to obtain preferential treatment; governmental corruption is rare in Cuba and attempted bribery will only make things worse.

Paladars may or may not add 10-20% onto your bill as a 'tax' or 'service charge.' If you suspect a scam, ask to keep the bill and see what happens. All private businesses are heavily taxed to discourage competition with state-run entities, and the added costs are, of course, passed on to you. Avoid jineteros (touts) who offer to lead you to a room or restaurant, unless you don't mind having an extra US$5 or so tacked onto your bill.

Refrain from handing out money or anything else to children or beggars on the street. Cubans are not allowed to beg from tourists, and plainclothes police are on duty in most places where tourists and Cubans mix. It may be gratifying to hand out trinkets to people you view as needy, but these people could be questioned as soon as you disappear from sight, and you may be personally responsible for sending someone to prison.